Calla lily plant named ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’

ABSTRACT

A  calla  lily plant particularly distinguished by a purple-red spathe, low density maculation of the leaves that is visible from both sides and which produces 2 to 4 inflorescences per 3-cm tuber, is described.

Genus and species: Zantedeschia spp.

Variety denomination: ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of callalily, botanically known as Zantedeschia spp., and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’. The new cultivar was asexuallyreproduced from micropropagation resulting from the cross of the femaleparent calla lily, an unnamed seedling of Zantedeschia spp. (unpatented)with a pink spathe and the male parent calla lily ‘Majestic Red’ (patentstatus unknown) with a red/burgundy spathe.

The new cultivar was created in Tauranga, New Zealand and has beenasexually reproduced repeatedly by micropropagation in India over atwo-year period. The present invention has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in New Zealandon Oct. 6, 2006.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Tauranga, New Zealand.

-   -   1. A purple-red spathe;    -   2. Low density maculation of the leaves that is visible from        both sides; and    -   3. Produces 2 to 4 inflorescences per 3-cm tuber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new calla lily plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the mature inflorescence and foliage of the plant. The colorsshown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. The photographs are of a plant approximately 9weeks-old, after planting.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up of the mature inflorescence.

FIG. 2 shows a close of a mature leaf with maculation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inTauranga, New Zealand. The plant history was taken on two-year-oldplants based on a 3-cm diameter tuber under New Zealand summerconditions. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Araceae.        -   Botanical name.—Zantedeschia spp.        -   Common name.—Calla lily.-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Erect.        -   Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—45 cm to 55 cm.        -   Height of top of inflorescence above the soil.—50 cm to 60            cm.        -   Diameter.—25 cm to 35 cm.        -   Number of inflorescences per tuber size.—Tuber diameter 3            cm: 2 to 4. Tuber diameter 4 cm: 3 to 6. Tuber diameter 5            cm: 6+.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—6 to 10 weeks            depending on the climate and environment.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—2 to 3 weeks.-   Tuber shoots:    -   -   Average number per plant.—2 to 4.        -   Character.—Strong.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137C. Lower surface: RHS 146D.            Base: RHS 155D.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Width: 8 cm to 11 cm. Length: 22 cm to 28 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface: RHS 137D.        -   Maculation (leaf spots).—General: Maculation is only on the            upper surface of the leaf but is visible from the lower            surface. Density: Low density. Color: RHS 155C (white).        -   Apex.—Acute to apiculate.        -   Base.—Attenuate to shortly attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire, moderately wavy.        -   Margin color.—RHS 145A (green).        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Surface texture.—Leathery.        -   Petiole.—Average number per tuber: 8 to 12. Length: 15 cm to            25 cm. Diameter: 0.6 cm to 1.2 cm. Color: Upper portion: RHS            137C. Base: RHS 146D. Texture: Smooth. Character: Strong.            Sheath: Width: 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm. Length: 2 cm to 5 cm.            Color: RHS 137C (green).-   Roots:    -   -   Color.—RHS 155D (white).        -   Branching.—Not branched, attached to the top of the tuber at            apices.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Spathe (flower body).—Size: Length: 7 cm to 9 cm. Height: 8            cm to 10 cm. Width: 5 cm to 6 cm. Color: Upper part: RHS            60A. Lower part: RHS 60C. Veins: RHS 59A. Shape: Fluted.            Texture: Smooth. Apex: Caudate. Base: Attenuate. Margin:            Entire.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Spadix (reproductive organs).—Size: Length: 2.5 cm to            3.5 cm. Diameter: 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm. Color: Base: RHS 60B.            Upper part: RHS 15B. Position relative to spathe: Upright.            Shape: Elongated. Apex: Rounded.        -   Peduncle (flower stem).—Length: 35 cm to 55 cm. Diameter:            0.7 cm to 1.1 cm. Color: Base: RHS 155A. Upper part: RHS            60B. Texture: Smooth. Strength: Strong.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix.        -   Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix.        -   Perianth (the floral envelope, calyx and            corolla).—Conspicuous.        -   Stamens.—Not visible before pollen release.        -   Pollen color.—RHS 155D (white).        -   Pistil.—Number: 25 to 35 per spadix. Color: RHS 17B.-   Fruit:    -   -   General.—Whole fruit is 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm wide and 4.0 cm to            5.0 cm long; individual berries are round and 0.5 cm to 0.7            cm in circumference.        -   Number.—8 to 15 berries per plant.        -   Color.—RHS 144A.-   Disease and insect resistance:    -   -   Disease resistance.—No susceptibility noted to date.        -   Pest resistance.—No susceptibility noted to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

When the instant plant is compared to the female parent, an unnamedseedling of Zantedeschia spp. (unpatented), ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’ has darkerpink spathes and larger spathes than the female parent.

When ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’ is compared to the male parent, ‘Majestic Red’(patent status unknown), ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’ has a brighter (lighter)spathe color and more inflorescences than the male parent.

‘Hot Cherry BLZ’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘Hot Lips’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 15,260) in that ‘Hot Cherry BLZ’ has a higher spathecount, more consistently shaped spathes and the spathe color is morepurple-red, while the spathe color of ‘Hot Lips’ is more pink.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of calla lily plant as shown anddescribed herein.